September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month and here are a few ways you and your family can prepare in event of an emergency. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen and explain what to do in each case. Pick two places to meet, one outside your home and outside of your neighborhood. Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of the location outside your neighborhood. Ask an out of state friend to be your family contact. Discuss what to do in an evacuation and what you will do with your pets.

Meet with your neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives.  Help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home.